Barista Guild of America Coffee Crawlin Crew: Jason & April Dominy (Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters), Sarah Dooley (La Marzocco) and the men who organized the extravaganza Mr. Noah Namowicz & Joe Morrocco (Cafe Imports). We set out to visit as many shops as we could, but don’t worry we’re totally coming back and we want to visit so many more of you! Send us an email as we plan our future caffeignation: sarah [at] lamarzoccousa [dot] com.

Hopping off the jet and into the waiting car of Tonx (Tonx Coffee). Tony sweeps a few of us off to what he labels his favorite brunch spot in LA, AXE (ah-shay). (Very important to support sanity when tasting coffee). Shortly after our departure Noah & Joe of Cafe Imports land, grab a souped up rental mini-van and head toward the first coffee meetup, Intelligentsia Venice. Here we were also met by John & Andrea Stoval, (Coffee Tools Application).

Typical to Intelligentsia Coffee, Venice a line of out the door, a smiling barista to greet and host you to your coffee bar where excellent beverages are crafted and served. Coffee faces…everywhere, driving short and not so short conversations. A few check-ins and the coffee crawl destinations are finalized.

Collectively off to Paper or Plastik. Additionally adding the super friendly Todd Goldsworthy & adorable son Levi to the caravan. Yummy coffee and a dark rimmed women with warm motherly charm introduces herself as the owner Anya Michelson. She politely took our plates, asked about the service and would later share the extended floor plan addition of a dance studio, at which point there was twinkling pride in her eyes.

There was also a visionaries tour of the future by Mr. Phillips. We tromped around the freshly dug drainage lines and stood on literal earth for the future roaster/cafe. Outside, film crews drive by and street posts indicate there will be filming proving we are clearly in LA…Hollywood signage looming in the hills and in our thoughts.

Back into cars we race through streets, framed in palm trees and yet another slow drive past camera’s filming the caravan of tricked out low riders…ending up at Proof Bakery & Cognescenti Coffee Bar.

Here we sample the Tonx Coffee Costa Rican offering as espresso. They were kind enough to stay open for also showcasing amazing baked items and a ridiculous chocolate truffle. Other options for coffee; Four Barrell, Heart, Coava , & Ecco. (A little Pacific Northwest in the mix).

At this point hydration and food is the next necessary need for proper brain function, continued communication with humanity and balance. Walking distance from dinner and our last stop of the day, Intelligentsia Silverlake.

A stunning space with yup you guessed it, predictably delicious coffee and more coffee folk to chat with.

The sun is setting and the caravan parts from it’s tour guide, heading toward the 101. Next destination, Santa Barbara’s El Capitan Resort for the 2nd Annual Camp Pull A Shot!